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Candlelight Vigil

Candlelight Vigil

For Immediate Release

 

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

Video and images: http://bit.ly/1o6oEPn

 

ABUSED DOG ATTENDS CANDLELIGHT VIGIL FOR STRONGER ANIMAL PROTECTION LAWS

 

Houston, MS (April 13, 2016) – In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that runs the Justice for Animals Campaign in Mississippi has joined forces with the Tupelo-Lee Humane Society to hold a candlelight vigil today at the Chickasaw County Justice Court in Houston, MS, to show lawmakers that Mississippians are determined to get stronger animal protection laws. They will be joined by Champ, one of Mississippi’s most recent animal abuse victims, as well as advocates from as far away as the Harrison County, MS.

 

A video of Champ, a German Shepherd mix dog, being helplessly dragged by the neck behind a pickup truck amid laughter and taunts from one of his attackers went viral last month, prompting outrage in Mississippi and across the nation. Fortunately, Champ survived and he will attend the vigil to represent thousands of Mississippi animals who have been mercilessly abused and even killed by their guardians.

 

Champ’s abuser, 70-year-old Willie Davis, of Houlka, Mississippi is scheduled for arraignment today, Wednesday April 13th. The severest crime Davis may be charged with under current law is aggravated cruelty. The Mississippi Dog and Cat Protection Law, MSSS 97-41-16 b, carries a maximum fine of just $2,500, and a six-month jail term.

 

“Crimes like these are a perversion of our legal responsibility to protect and care for our animal companions. This hideous incident has outraged and disgusted Mississippians and led In Defense of Animals to renew our pledge to see a 1st offense felony bill passed in 2017,” said Doll Stanley, Director of In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign.

 

Last month, a bill went before the Mississippi House of Representatives Agriculture Committee that would have made aggravated animal cruelty a first offense felony crime. However, SB2174 was “killed” after the Mississippi Farm Bureau took a direct aim at it.

 

“We call on Mississippians to cancel their Farm Bureau insurance policies to protest the Bureau’s inexcusable actions to allow monstrous animal abusers to escape proper justice,” added Stanley.

 

“It is Tupelo-Lee Humane Society’s mission to promote humane treatment and prevent cruelty. With the recent events involving Champ, we hope that our community is aware that animal cruelty is a problem that is every individual’s responsibility to report and prevent. Legislation needs to change to place a harsher penalty on cases like Champ’s so that justice will be served,” said Rachel Allred, Tupelo-Lee Humane Society’s Acting Director of Operations.

 

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is working tirelessly to advance the cause for justice and show state legislators that the people of Mississippi are united against senseless and horrific animal abuse. Campaign members are aligning with Mississippi judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates and concerned citizens to pass meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail. In Defense of Animals has served in Mississippi for 24 years, aiding victims and law enforcement with hundreds of cruelty reports.

 

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org

 

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is actively working with officials in communities, building a groundswell of support for establishing and amending city and county ordinances as part of its campaign to show state lawmakers that Mississippians will not tolerate animal cruelty.

 

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization located in San Rafael, Calif. dedicated to protecting animals’ rights, welfare, and habitats through education, outreach, and our hands-on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi

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